Devil Times Five is a 1974 movie directed by Sean MacGregor and David Sheldon.
Devil Times Five tells the story of five kids who escape from a mental institution and terrorize a ski resort. Three vacationing couples each meet a brutal end.
If Oscars were awarded for Best Horror Movie Child Actor, Devil Times Five would boast some favorites.
Leif Garrett, Gail Smale and Tierre Turner are each brilliant in their respective roles.
Garrett is a scene stealer as David, the mercurial know-it-all pseudo prodigy. He inhabits the frustrations of a kid wanting to be taken seriously by adults, yet his vicious temper arises when he’s not. His exchanges with Sorrell Booke’s Harvey Beckman are cruel and hilarious.
After correcting Beckman’s calling him “a little guy”, he states: “We will be friends, Harvey Beckman.” David loses a game of chess to Beckman, then furiously throws the pieces. He begins to unravel. He dresses in drag – an homage to Beckman’s alcoholic wife – and smears on lipstick. “You’re all mine, Harvey Beckman.”
Smale is terrific as Sister Hannah, the pint-sized pretend nun who serves as the unofficial leader of the group. Her appearance is bleached out, resembling an albino and she features a penetrating, unsettling glare. The clueless adults at the resort take her seriously, despite her odd attempts at conversation. “I was noticing your hair. It’s very healthy.”
Her scene with John Durren’s Ralph, the mentally challenged handyman who is an unintentional spoof on Lenny from Of Mice and Men, is a highlight. There’s a subtle connection being made between these two outcasts – until Sister Hannah shrieks and drops a plate, claiming “something is frightening is me!”
Tierre Turner is hilarious as Brian, who is a GI Joe character come to life. Brian is the tactical leader of the group and his long-running arguments with David are a fun gag. As they rig the generator that will eventually kill Ralph, Brian jabs at David. David responds: “I’m going to bust you in the head when this job’s over.” After their brilliant contraption does in Gene Evans’ Papa Doc, they again spar.
The best running gag in the movie comes whenever Brian enters a scene. Marching military music introduces him – it’s a mashup of The Dirty Dozen meeting a slasher movie.
The overall concept of the movie is a unique idea. The adults being hunted represent toys for the mentally disturbed kids. However, it’s fun to see the kids cast as hunters while the adults are completely foolish and somewhat unlikeable characters. Like most movies of the genre, it takes forever for the victims to figure out what’s happening.
The actual kills are a highlight of the movie. Each is unique and shows the ingenuity and cruelty of the children. They involve a generator hanging, an axe to the skull, a swinging knife contraption, a spear to the jugular, a burning, a beartrap and most creatively, a bathtub full of piranha fish.
The BEST – The One-Liners
Devil Times Five has a great sense of humor about itself. Some of the characters are goofy, one-note creations but are eminently quotable. Some of the hidden gems:
Ralph to Sister Hannah: “I never did dishes with a nun before.”
David to Rick: “My face! Look what you did to my beautiful face!”
Ralph to Lovely: “You’ve got hair like my rabbit.”
Ruth to Harvey: “Harvey, I have a headache, a toothache, a backache and I’m expecting the gout.”
The BEST Part 2 – Rick’s Wardrobe
There’s a scene where Lacher’s Rick and Joan McCall’s Julie are shooting pool in Papa Doc’s basement bar. It’s pure eclectic 70’s decor as Rick’s all red outfit perfectly matches – and clashes – with the same-colored wall.
The BEST Part 3 – Harvey Beckman’s Sales Pitch
Beckman’s character arc revolves around him finding the nerve to ask Papa Doc for a raise and promotion. Only after the murders begin does Beckman pick his opportunity. About five minutes later, he takes an axe to the skull.
The BEST Part 4 – That Was Boss Hogg????
I watched the entire movie without realizing who Sorrell Booke is.
The WORST – The Feuds
Within twenty minutes, the movie features a completely unnecessary catfight between McCall’s Julie and Stellar’s Lovely and then continues oddly passive-aggressive sparring between Rick and Papa Doc. These arguments continue even as their ranks are thinned by the murderous kids.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5
Devil Times Five is a cool horror movie concept and the kids add an appealing and often hilarious layer. Leif Garrett is wonderfully bizarre and the murder methods are inventive. Definitely worth a watch.
